What does Ombersley Cricket Club have in common with the weather?
Well, they both smashed records this May Bank Holiday!
In a special edition double-bill of BDCPL action, sides in both divisions of the Premier League played two fixtures, with a host of Worcestershire stars in action throughout.
Ombersley enjoyed back-to-back wins on Saturday and Monday, firstly with a four wicket win over Moseley, where young pathway product Seth Essenhigh starred in a successful run-chase of 254.
Coming in at 151-5, Seth made a fluent 50* off 40 balls, stroking seven fours and one six as he guided his team over the line.
Monday saw the record books tossed to one side at Ombersley, with the hosts amassing a staggering 437-6, where a certain Dan Lategan made his debut after an off-season switch from Kidderminster.
Lategan made 27 opening the batting, as his side went onto post the highest total ever recorded in the Birmingham Premier League, largely thanks to Sinel Gunarathne’s sparkling 142.
The Worcestershire opener also returned figures of 2-63 from his 10-overs where he came on as first change.
Rehaan Edavalath featured for the side on the receiving end of Monday’s shellacking, collecting two-wickets for himself, enduring a tougher time with the bat as Barnards Green lost by 169 runs.
Rehaan showed promise for his 20 in a tense encounter with Smethwick on Saturday last week, making 20, but Smethwick continued their charge at the top of the division thanks to a hand of 41 from Assistant Coach Kadeer Ali at number six, as they defended 273.
Henry Cullen made 26 off 34 at the top of the order, while Alfie Higgins could only manage four as Barnt Green were bundled out for 129 chasing Himley’s 214-8 last Saturday, but was quick to put the defeat behind him.
The keeper-batter enjoyed richly improved fortunes in Monday’s landslide win over Kenilworth Wardens, where Barnt Green cruised to a 144-run victory.
Posting a whopping 331-2, Cullen starred with a majestic 105 from 108 balls, before his side knocked over Kenilworth for just 187.
Shrewsbury endured a tough weekend, going down in both of their fixtures in which Harry Darley and Finn Jones featured.
Finn made three and Harry picked up 2-25 as the duo went down by three wickets to Kenilworth Wardens, but both players on the Worcestershire roster showed their skills against Harborne two days later.
Making a superb 77 in the middle order for Shrewsbury, Finn helped his team up to 258 all-out, scoring six fours and four sixes, before teammate Harry took three wickets to keep their side in the contest.
However, it was Alexei Kervezee who stole show for Harborne, with the Worcestershire 2nd XI Head Coach reeling of 140 from 121 balls to guide his side to a five-wicket victory.
Joe Porter made 11 batting at three for Halesowen in their total of 270-9, with his team bowling well to defend their total and win by 11-runs against Harborne last Saturday, whilst taking two catches whilst squaring off with Knowle and Dorridge on Monday.
Shifnal were in action in Division Two, with pace bowler Jack Home playing in both matches against Berkswell and Attock.
Jack took 1-47 in an eight wicket defeat to Berkswell, but hit back with figures of 2-47 and a 52-ball-55 against Attock on Monday.
Ben Jones featured twice for Kidderminster over the course of the weekend, making scores of four and three, but helped himself to figures of 1-30 from five overs in Monday’s clash against Wolverhampton.
